Big Brother 2026 contestant Omar El Mayer has prompted more than 20,000 Ofcom complaints over his treatment of fellow housemate Rhianna Collins, with ITV bosses addressing his behaviour in the house.
Ofcom has confirmed the total number of complaints regarding Omar's behaviour towards Rhianna now stands at 20,252, with 13,114 reports coming from the episode of the ITV2 reality show that aired on October 19.
Diary Room Talk
Omar and Rhianna struck up a relationship quickly after entering the Big Brother house, but concerns about his alleged "toxic" behaviour had grown among fans. Angry viewers and women's safety charities had been calling on ITV to intervene in the couple's relationship after several heated exchanges between the pair.
Omar was called into the Diary Room during the episode that aired on October 21 and was told his language and behaviour "could cause offence", but he denied dismissing Rhianna's feelings.
The housemate said he "fully understood" the allegations and would challenge people if he disagreed with them, but said he did not believe he had told anyone they weren't entitled to feel however they wanted to.
Omar's Response
"Let's be honest here, we're not just talking about housemates, we're talking about my conversations with me and Rhianna," he continued. Omar said he'd "done nothing but look out for her" and "didn't walk in with any bad intentions or any malice", adding "I've acknowledged my housemate's feelings."
Fans were quick to complain on social media at the time, saying Big Brother should have been firmer and Omar should have received a formal warning for his behaviour. One viewer described it as "a soft talking to", but another said Big Brother made "it clear that his behaviour has not gone unnoticed".
ITV's Response
A spokesperson for ITV previously said that housemates receive "respect and inclusion training" and an "extensive briefing" from the show's team on how to prepare for living in the house and to "set out Big Brother's expectations for appropriate behaviour and language". They said "housemates are monitored 24 hours a day" and "any instances of inappropriate behaviour are responded to appropriately". A welfare team is also available to support housemates, the statement added.
Viewers watched Rhianna break off the relationship before being called to the Diary Room, where she told Big Brother she and Omar "have not been good over the last few days" and added "sometimes I don't like the way he speaks to me."
Later, Rhianna was seen telling Omar she didn't want to argue, to which he replied: "Then don't say mad things that you don't mean. It's not fair... sort it out, get it together."
Charity Concerns
Women's Aid allege the 21-year-old housemate's behaviour towards Rhianna is concerning and say ITV should do more to protect contestants.
Veronica Oakeshott, Women's Aid Head of External Affairs, said: "We've been contacted by many viewers who have expressed concern. Not only does Big Brother risk minimising survivors' experiences, it also risks presenting abuse as a form of entertainment.
"We must do better to call out and reject abuse as soon as we see it, so women and children can learn the signs and themselves feel confident in speaking up and seeking safety.
"Producers should understand their responsibility to keep contestants emotionally and physically safe. The women in these programmes are real people and need real support.
"We continue to urge television companies such as ITV to engage with experts like Women's Aid to understand the nature of abuse and how they can do better to protect contestants. We would welcome a discussion with the Big Brother team."
Rhianna's sister entered the house recently as part of a task and urged her to stay away from Omar by telling her some home truths. The housemate kept her distance from Omar at first, but the pair were seen trying to give their romance another go during the latest episode. Big Brother continues Sunday to Friday on ITV2 at 9pm.
